Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

"Justin Chadwick's Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom aims high in trying to convey this amazing man’s life in just 140 minutes, when perhaps just a part of his story would have made for a more satisfying, less fragmented movie. Nonetheless, the strength of Mandela lies in the warts ‘n’ all humanity on display. This Nelson starts as no saint, taking up arms against a brutally oppressive regime before imprisonment transforms his violent struggle into one of peaceful resistance."

"For all its failings, there is one thing that can't be denied: Idris Elba gives a towering performance, a Mandela for the ages."

"Ambitious in its span and powerful in its recreation of tumultuous times, this is a skilful dramatisation and a worthy celebration."

"As a primer, it's respectable; as cinema, it feels like a biblical gospel, always gearing up for the next big speech or moment."

"Mr. Elba is completely convincing as a natural leader with a ferocious drive."

"If it is a bit stately, that is understandable: his life story really is extraordinary. The movie pays homage - in good faith."

"Great Figure filmmaking that acts more as monument than living history."

"The restrained intensity of Idris Elba's performance as Nelson Mandela ennobles this ambitiously sprawling biopic."

"It's vivid, substantial and works hard to be worthy, but as it ticks off the milestones of a monumental life it flickers more often than it really catches fire."